When the woman as cultivator was almost the sole creator of property in land, she held in respect of this also a position of advantage.  In the transactions of North American tribes with the colonial governments many deeds of assignments bear female signatures, which doubtless must also be referred to inheritance through the mother.[177]

Among the Spokanes “all household goods are considered as the wife’s property."[178] The stores of roots and berries laid up by the Salish women for a time of scarcity “are looked upon as belonging to them personally, and their husbands will not touch them without having previously obtained their permission."[179] Among the Menomini a woman in good circumstances would possess as many as from 1,200 to 1,500 birch-bark vessels, and all of these would be in use during the season of sugar-making.[180] In the New Mexican pueblo,

what comes from outside the house, as soon as it is inside is put under the immediate control of the woman.  My host at Cochiti, New Mexico, could not sell an ear of corn or a string of chile without the consent of his thirteen-year-old daughter, Ignacia, who kept house for her widowed father.  In Cholula district (and probably all over Mexico) the man has acquired more power, and the storehouse is no longer controlled by the wife.  But the kitchen remains her domain; and its aboriginal designation, tezcalli (place, or house, of her who grinds), is still perfectly justified.[181]

A plurality of wives is required by a good hunter, since in the labors of the chase women are of great service to their husbands.  An Indian with one wife cannot amass property, as she is constantly occupied in household labors, and has not time for preparing skins for trading.[182]

The outcome of this closer attention of the woman to the industrial life is well seen among the ancient Hebrews: 

A virtuous woman ... seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.  She is like the merchant ships:  she bringeth her food from afar.  She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and their task to her maidens.  She considereth a field and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard....  She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable:  her lamp goeth not out by night.  She layeth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.  She spreadeth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.  She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.  She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; her clothing is fine linen and purple.  Her husband is known in the gates, when linen garments and selleth them; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.[183]

There must come a time in the history of every group when wild game becomes scarce.  This time is put